Rotary motion mechanism

ABSTRACT

A rotary motion mechanism including a rotatable element geometrically lockable at two points (e.g., limits) of travel, and a linear motion element linked to the rotatable element, the linear motion element being adapted to move in response to a linear motion imparted thereto and to cause rotation of the rotatable element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mechanisms for transferringlinear motion to rotary motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices are known for transferring linear motion to rotary motion.For example, the linkage in an internal combustion engine between thepistons and the crankshaft transfers the linear reciprocating motion ofthe pistons to the rotary motion of the crankshaft. Some mechanisms thattransfer linear to rotary motion, such as in the example of the linkagein the engine, are dedicated to continuous motion. Other mechanisms,instead of providing continuous motion, constrain the motion betweenlimits of travel. Some push-pull or toggle mechanisms are examples ofsuch mechanisms. However, the known mechanisms lack the ability togeometrically lock at the limits of travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved mechanism fortransferring linear motion to rotary motion, wherein the rotary motionis constrained between two points of travel, and wherein there isgeometrical locking at the points of travel.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a rotary motion mechanism including a rotatableelement geometrically lockable at two points (e.g., limits) of travel,and a linear motion element linked to the rotatable element, the linearmotion element being adapted to move in response to a linear motionimparted thereto and to cause rotation of the rotatable element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention thetwo points of travel are defined by structure formed in the rotatableelement.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the structure comprises a plurality of grooves adapted forreceiving therein a portion of the linear motion element, wherein one ofthe grooves defines a first point of travel of the rotatable elementwhen the portion of the linear motion element is received therein, andanother of the grooves defines a second point of travel of the rotatableelement when the portion of the linear motion element is receivedtherein.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the rotatable element is rotatable about a pivot and at leasttwo of the grooves are offset from the pivot.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention thelinear motion element is adapted to cause the rotatable element torotate when the portion of the linear motion element is not positionedin the grooves that define the points of travel.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the plurality of grooves comprises a groove that is not one ofthe grooves that define the points of travel.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the linear motion element is adapted to cause the rotatableelement to rotate when the portion of the linear motion element ispositioned in the groove that is not one of the grooves that define thepoints of travel.

Additionally the grooves comprise at least three grooves formedgenerally in a clover shape in the rotatable element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention therotatable element comprises a hook.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the linear motion element comprises a link arm coupled withthe rotatable element.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the link arm comprises a first pin at one end thereof thatengages a slot formed in the linear motion element, and a second pin ata second end thereof receivable in any of the grooves formed in therotatable element.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first pin is constrained to travel in a first channel, andthe second pin is constrained to travel in a second channel.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a mechanical system including a rotatable elementgeometrically lockable at two points of travel, a linear motion elementlinked to the rotatable element, the linear motion element being adaptedto move in response to a linear motion imparted thereto and to causerotation of the rotatable element, and a linkage apparatus adapted tomove the linear motion element in the linear motion. The system mayinclude an element actuable by rotation of the rotatable element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1E are simplified front view illustrations of a rotary motionmechanism, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, wherein the mechanism isprogressively rotated from a first point of travel to a second point oftravel, and the mechanism is geometrically locked in place at bothpoints of travel; and

FIGS. 2A-2E are simplified pictorial illustrations of the rotary motionmechanism, corresponding respectively to FIGS. 1A-1E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E, which illustrate rotarymotion mechanism 10, constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

The rotary motion mechanism 10 may include a rotatable element 12.Although the invention is not limited to the example illustrated in thefigures, the rotatable element 12 may comprise a pivot 14 about whichthe rotatable element 12 may rotate, and two or more recesses or groovesoffset from the pivot 14. In the illustrated embodiment, three grooves16, 17 and 18 are formed generally in a clover shape in the rotatableelement 12. The rotatable element 12 may comprise a hook 20.

The rotary motion mechanism 10 may include a linear motion element 22.Although the invention is not limited to the example illustrated in thefigures, the linear motion element 22 may comprise a tongue 24 thatprotrudes from a body 26 that pivots about a pivot 28. A groove or slot30 may be formed in body 26.

The linear motion element 22 may comprise a link arm 32, which ispreferably coupled with the rotatable element 12. Although the inventionis not limited to the example illustrated in the figures, the link arm32 may comprise a bar with a first pin 34 at one end thereof thatengages slot 30 of the linear motion element 22, and another second pin36 at another end thereof that engages any of the grooves 16, 17 or 18.First pin 34 may be constrained to travel in a slot or first channel 38(FIGS. 1D and 1E), and second pin 36 may be constrained to travel in aslot or second channel 40 (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C). Channels 38 and 40 maybe formed in a base or substrate 42, which may also serve as the basefor the pivots 14 and 28.

In FIGS. 1A and 2A, second pin 36 (i.e., a portion of link arm 32) isfully received in groove 16, thereby geometrically locking rotatableelement 12, that is, preventing rotation of rotatable element 12. Thus,the rotary motion mechanism 10 is at a first point (for example, limit)of travel and geometrically locked in place.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1B and 2B, which illustrate initialactuation of the rotary motion mechanism 10. Tongue 24 may be lifted bya linkage apparatus 43 (shown only in FIG. 1B and omitted in the rest ofthe drawings for the sake of clarity) generally in the direction of anarrow 44, thereby causing the linear motion element 22 to pivot aboutpivot 28 generally in the direction of an arrow 46. Linkage apparatus 43may comprise a rod, bar or other similar device, for example.Alternatively, tongue 24 may be lifted by a hand, finger or foot, forexample. As the linear motion element 22 pivots, groove 30 pushes firstpin 34 and the link arm 32 generally in the direction of an arrow 47(along first channel 38). This causes second pin 36 to move out ofgroove 16, along second channel 40, towards a junction 48 of grooves 17and 18. FIGS. 1B and 2B show second pin 36 abutting against junction 48.Until this point, rotatable element 12 has not yet started to rotateabout pivot 14.

As tongue 24 continues to move in the direction of arrow 44, and linearmotion element 22 continues to pivot about pivot 28, link arm 32continues to move generally in the direction of arrow 47. As shown inFIGS. 1C and 2C, this urges second pin 36 into groove 17 and causesrotatable element 12 to rotate generally in the direction of an arrow 49about pivot 14.

In FIGS. 1D and 2D, tongue 24 continues to move in the direction ofarrow 44, and linear motion element 22 continues to pivot about pivot 28in the direction of arrow 46, second pin 36 continues to move alongsecond channel 40 and rotatable element 12 continues to pivot aboutpivot 14 in the direction of arrow 49. This motion moves second pin 36out of groove 17 towards groove 18.

Finally, in FIGS. 1E and 2E, tongue 24 continues to move in thedirection of arrow 44, and linear motion element 22 continues to pivotabout pivot 28 in the direction of arrow 46, until second pin 36 slidesinto groove 18. Once this happens, second pin 36 is locked in groove 18,thereby geometrically locking rotatable element 12, that is, preventingfurther rotation of rotatable element 12. Thus, the rotary motionmechanism 10 is at a second point (for example, limit) of travel andgeometrically locked in place.

The rotary motion mechanism 10 may be brought back to the orientation ofFIG. 1, by moving tongue 24 generally in the direction opposite to arrow44 and reversing the above-described process.

The rotary motion mechanism 10 may be implemented in a mechanical systemthat comprises rotary and linear motion. The mechanical system maycomprise a wide range of devices, and may include an element actuable byrotation of rotatable element 12, such as the hook 20, for example. Forexample, the rotary motion mechanism 10 may be part of a door locksystem installed in a door, and hook 20 may be adapted to protrude froman escutcheon 60 into a door frame (not shown). Geometrically lockinghook 20 at the second point of travel may substantially increase thelocked security of the door. Other examples of devices may include aplowing mechanism, wherein it is desired to lock the plowing mechanismat two different points of travel, such as one orientation for plowingthe ground and another orientation lifted above the ground. It isappreciated that these are just two examples of many otherimplementations of the rotary motion mechanism 10 of the invention.

It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the claims that follow:

1. A rotary motion mechanism comprising: a rotatable elementgeometrically lockable at two points of travel; and a linear motionelement linked to said rotatable element, said linear motion elementbeing adapted to move in response to a linear motion imparted theretoand to cause rotation of said rotatable element.
 2. The mechanismaccording to claim 1 wherein said points of travel comprise limits oftravel.
 3. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said two points oftravel are defined by structure formed in said rotatable element.
 4. Themechanism according to claim 3 wherein said structure comprises aplurality of grooves adapted for receiving therein a portion of saidlinear motion element, wherein one of said grooves defines a first pointof travel of said rotatable element when said portion of said linearmotion element is received therein, and another of said grooves definesa second point of travel of said rotatable element when said portion ofsaid linear motion element is received therein.
 5. The mechanismaccording to claim 4 wherein said rotatable element is rotatable about apivot and at least two of said grooves are offset from said pivot. 6.The mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said linear motion element isadapted to cause said rotatable element to rotate when said portion ofsaid linear motion element is not positioned in said grooves that definethe points of travel.
 7. The mechanism according to claim 4 wherein saidplurality of grooves comprises a groove that is not one of said groovesthat define the points of travel.
 8. The mechanism according to claim 7wherein said linear motion element is adapted to cause said rotatableelement to rotate when said portion of said linear motion element ispositioned in the groove that is not one of said grooves that define thepoints of travel.
 9. The mechanism according to claim 7 wherein saidgrooves comprise at least three grooves formed generally in a clovershape in said rotatable element.
 10. The mechanism according to claims 1wherein said rotatable element comprises a hook.
 11. The mechanismaccording to claims 1 wherein said linear motion element comprises alink arm coupled with said rotatable element.
 12. The mechanismaccording to claim 11 wherein said link arm comprises a first pin at oneend thereof that engages a slot formed in said linear motion element,and a second pin at a second end thereof receivable in any of saidgrooves formed in said rotatable element.
 13. The mechanism according toclaim 12 wherein said first pin is constrained to travel in a firstchannel, and said second pin is constrained to travel in a secondchannel.
 14. A mechanical system comprising: a rotatable elementgeometrically lockable at two points of travel; a linear motion elementlinked to said rotatable element, said linear motion element beingadapted to move in response to a linear motion imparted thereto and tocause rotation of said rotatable element; and a linkage apparatusadapted to move said linear motion element in said linear motion. 15.The system according to claim 14 and further comprising an elementactuable by rotation of said rotatable element.
 16. The system accordingto claim 14 wherein said system comprises a portion of a door locksystem.